The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1887-10-22

cuIiaf interest," heretofore the presl-
dental progresses have been usually Of
apOlitical character, aud they have been
without the great charm which the
presence of women affords them. In
these respects the present occasion is
exceptional. We all rejoice that you
are accompanied here by Mrs. Cleve-
land. [Applsuse.l She is here as our
invited guest, and we are glad of the op-
portunity to lay at her feet our tribute
of sincere homage and admiration.
To her fair countrywomen her presence
is especially gratifying. They are
proud to have such representative of
their sex as the presiding spirit of the
executive mansion and as the head of
society at the national capital. Zap
plause.l They are proud to know that
in the discharge Of all her duties she
constantly wins golden opinions from
all sorts ofpeople. Applause.l Ibeg
you, Mr.. President, in the name and in
the behalf of the ladies of Memphis, to
present to her their cordial and respect
full salutation, and TO assure her of the
great pleasure which it gives them to
receive Ler and extend to her the cour-
tesies due to her exalted station as well
as to herself as a woman. Their ear
nest prayer is that all her ways may be
ways of pleasantness and all her paths
may be paths ofjoy. 1t is the common
desire of us all that the residue ofyour
proposed journey may be safe and
prosperous, and that you may long con-
tinue to enjoy health and happiness.
[Great applause.l
During the delivery Of Judge Ellett's
address Of welcome, President Cleve-
land, his wife and escorting party re-
NAMED standing. When Mr.. Cleye-
land, from his original position, began
his response, the orator ofthe occasion
remained motionless, and held his eyes
steadily toward the face of the speak
er. Mr.. Cleveland proceeded as fol-
lows
THE PRESIDENTS RESPONSE
From the sight seeing in the wonder
full wesi, / have come to be still more
surprised in the South. From marye-
lous growth, | have come to see not
only marvellous growth, but aston
ishing recuperation. [Applause.l The
city Of Memphis does not represent
new settlement or recent municipal
creation. Her history is long one,
full of fvicissitude and OF discouraging
incident. The largest city in Tennessee
her early growth illustrated the activi-
ity and the enterprise Of her people;
but her decadence their fortitude; and
her renewed growth, their faith and
unaagging industry and perseverance.
Applsuse.l The active trade upon
your streets and in your exchanges
tells only the tale of one of the largest
cotton marts in the world; and one OF
the most hourishing and prosperous Of
southern cities. [ Applause.l Scarcely
trace is to be seen of the trials and
the encouragement through which she
passed in gaining her present position
and yet, in 1852; when with steady
growth she had attained population
of $4,000, the city was occupied by
military force, and for four years there
after was held as a fortified camp,
During this time her people were
scattered and her growth was checked
AT the close of the war the people re-
turned to their homes and courageous
ly SGT about repairing the damage OF
war and military occupation, and al
though within ten years after that time
the city was twice visited with yellow
fever, even, through these visitation
her people struggled on, bound to over
come. [Applause,l In 1878, when ap
parently she was again on the hlgl
road to lasting prosperity; its terrible
scourge again visited this devoted cit,
with more virulence then ever before
No one can wonder that in the re-
newed presence of this calamity hel
people He'd for their lives. OF apop
ulation of 10000, but q, 900 remained
and of these more than 5000 died o.
tho terrible epidemic within TIVE
months and half. In this somber pic
ture let us pause to contemplate for ;
moment one bright spot, lighted III
with the spirit OF brothsrly love anc
illumspated by the sympathy of gen
erous nation. From every section o.
country, far and near-trom the nortl
and from the south-thoro came
prompt and cheerful aid, furnishing
help aud alleyisting distress. Oul
whole nation was touched by your ca
lamity.
When the citizens returned again tC
their homes they found their business
destroyed and that all that they had
done was evaporated. They immedi
atcly, without losinga single iota o.
faith in the future destiny of their city
submitted to enormous taxation tha
its sanitary condition might be improy
ed and that their fortunes might b'
regained. Soon system OF sewer
age was inaugurated which not only
promises protection in the future from
pestilence, but which became know
to all the cities of the land for its com
pleteness. Other improvements wer'
made, and soon the citizens Of Mem
phis saw their city forging aheat
again to municipal greatness and pros
perity.
Her population, 10000 in 1880, i
now estimated at 10000. Her mer
chants will this year have in thci
hands 100000 bales of cotton, valued
at nearly S30000,OO0. The products o
her cotton seed mills are the greatest
in the world and her banking iacilitie
and business keeps pace with their i'm
mensc industries. Thus have you a
last overcome, and thus have you re
paired the ravages of war and pesti
lence. You may well forget all othel
Affections, in the presence of the pros
. pect and promise of the future, remem
bering only that in your direst calami
ty proof was given of the brotherhood
of the American people. [Great az
plause.l
The patriotic sentiments expresse
by your honored fellow-citizcn in you
behalf. am sure | may say, are genel
ously responded to by your fellov
countrymcn of the North. [Applaus'
+; They, believe, want rest from section
: al agitation. [Applause.l They kno'
that the destiny Of our nation can onl
! in ootttcVn1 l,.- n rottufott in cantttnpl